An Audubon Bird Sanctuary
Port O'Connor, Texas

© 2000-08 Sundown Island

From The Warden, Chester Smith

Lots Of Babies!

May 15, 2003—I took a crew to the island to help me with some chores May 1st. Barbara Van Horn and Steve Tripp from Devon helped water new plants with water from the cistern. Marcy Crowe took photos to document the island activity. Landyn and Lathan Smith and Bret Cecil, my grandsons, helped with the boat and more. There are babies everywhere. There were some Black Skimmers nesting along the eastern edge of the island and a few on the west edge. There may be more skimmers, but not as many as in years past. Click here for more photos. Chester

Record Number of Eggs

May 12, 2003—Hello Friends! Is this a record number of duck eggs in one nest? I have more Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks nesting this year on Sundown Island. We didn't see them, but we suspect more than one hen laid these eggs. Sidney Oliphant took this picture. Click on the photo for a larger view. May 15, 2003 Update—The ducks are still sitting on this nest. Checked on them Thursday. Chester

New Aerial Photo of Sundown Island

April 28, 2003—Hey Guys! Here is a recent aerial photo of Sundown Island. Wish you could see all of the birds now nesting there. Bruce Mickle asked Chad Black, both from King Fisher Marine Service, to send me this photo. You can see all of the new sand on the north end of the island. Click the photo for a larger view. Chester

Article on Sundown Island In The Houston Chronicle

April 25, 2003—Be sure to catch the great article about Sundown Island in the Houston Chronicle written by Gary Clark with photos by Kathy Adams Clark. If you missed it, click here for a PDF copy of the article. Chester       

Eleven Ducklings

April 24, 2003—We fished awhile yesterday. Charley caught one nice Red. We visited the island. Lots of birds. We saw a pair of Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks with 11 ducklings on "Pond One" but had no camera!!!!   Chester